Lawrence of Oxford

Another factor in the decision to settle the family in Oxford was religion, and the friendship which the family had already forged with Canon Alfred M W Christopher. A remarkable man, he had made Oxford, hitherto a predominantly High Church city, a major centre for the revival of the Evangelical movement in England at the end of the 19th century - and this could not have failed to attract the fervently religious Mrs Lawrence.

The family had first met Canon Christopher in 1895 when he preached at Ryde on the Isle of Wight, and he became a lifelong friend. His exceptional ministry was based at this Oxford church, St Aldate's, one of the oldest in the city, and the Lawrence family immediately became enthusiastic members of his congregation.

It is a large and attractive building, and at the height of his fame the redoubtable Canon filled this church every week with his powerful preaching of the Gospel. Although TEL was to reject formal religion as he grew older, he was as involved as the rest of the family during his youth, joining the St Aldate's Church Lads' Brigade - even becoming an officer in 1907 - and taking charge of a Sunday School class while still at school. The story is told that he lost that particular post after reading the youngsters in his charge a story by Oscar Wilde, whose sensational trial in 1895 had scandalised Victorian society.